Part 7 (1/2)

Sitting behind my desk, I stare at the white board with all the information under the photos. Itas an archaic way of doing things but it works for me. Rubbing the back of my neck, Iam trying to come up with a plan of attack. How can we go into Brandtas office without spooking either of them?

aCan I come in?a Will says from the door. I lean back and wave him in. My words are failing me as my frustration grows.

aSo, I hear we have a raid planned for tomorrow.a aYep. Just have no idea how the h.e.l.l weare going to handle it.a aCaptain is over with the D.A. trying to expedite a warrant. I donat think Brandtas lawyer is going to make this one disappear.a aNo, but we have to be smart about how we go in. You and I know the floor. If thereas a hail of bullets, too many innocent people will get hurt.a aThe leader of the team has blueprints of the building. Heas made an optimal route to the floor, how to evacuate the other floors in case excessive force is necessary.a aOne thing has been irritating me, what the h.e.l.l does D.B.M. stand for?a aDoes it matter? All killers like to have nicknames. Makes them more official.a aNot really, but it means something to me.a Leaning back in my chair, I put my feet up on the corner of my desk. My eyes stay focused on the white board. All those connections, every bit of information all points to one man running the show. I think Will has slowly started to believe me that Irving Garrison is that puppeteer, but we canat connect him. We donat have enough.

aHeall trip up. You just have to be patient. One case at a time.a My eyes focus on Will. Heas staring at the board as well, having moved his chair.

Iave gone off the handle a bit this entire case. Luckily it didnat cost me the people who support me the most. Like my brother said, I canat go down that rabbit hole. No matter how appealing it is to walk up to a vile human being and remove them from the world. There would be less pain. Less hate. Less evil. Less of everything negative that seems to rule the world, But there would be a problem with my theory. Eventually, I would become no better than the person I killed. I would remove people, for reasons only known to me. That vile human being is still someoneas parent or son. That someone is still a living breathing person. I would have snuffed out their ability to obtain a balance with light. One day, when I least expect it, someone would remove me from the world for being that very vile person that started the cycle.

Itas a never ending Ferris Wheel with no ability to get off. Life sucks that way. You canat choose how fast you spin. You canat control who gets into your car all the time either. You just get on and pray you donat fall off the d.a.m.n ride.

aWhen do they want to do this?a aEarly morning hours. Itall take that long to get a judge to sign off.a aFigures. In the meantime they can destroy any and all evidence sitting in their offices.a aJasmine, theyave been doing that since we first came by. Theyare c.o.c.ky, not stupid. I say we both go home and enjoy time with the family. Tomorrowas gonna be a heavy day.a Will says as he stands up and stretches. I follow suit and stay silent as we walk out. My mind is full to the brim with theories and other random c.r.a.p. I need another good nightas rest. Maybe I wonat have a nightmare again.

The house is quiet but Frankieas car is in the driveway. The dinner table is set complete with wine gla.s.ses. Placing my keys on the hook, the nervous bile slowly creeps up my throat. The noise in the bas.e.m.e.nt makes the bile rise up into my mouth forcing me to swallow it back down. Dropping my bag, I rush down the stairs two at a time.

The door to my locked room is open. I must have forgotten to lock it the last time I was down here. I walk into the room and my worst fear is revealed. Frankie stands there, one hand on her hip the other covering her mouth.

aI can explain,a I say full well knowing I really canat explain an obsession to a psychologist. I wonat sound normal at all.

aHow can you explain all this?a I walk into the room and place my hand on her shoulder. She shrugs me off and spins around. Her reddened eyes and tear stained face locks to mine.

aHow long?a aFrankieaa aJust answer me! How long have you been sneaking down here and creating thisa obsessive behavior?a aA month or two after we moved here.a Her eyes widen and she takes a step back from me. I can see her eyes darting all over the room. The doctor in her is working overtime and Iam sure a lecture is to follow.

aYou need to get rid of this. All of it.a aFrankie, you know I canat do that.a aIam converting this room for storage of Chaseas sports equipment. You donat have a choice.a Her voice is a tone Iave rarely heard before. I know thereas no room to argue, but I know myself. Iam going to do it anyway.

aIave put in too much time to just toss away all this work!a aWork? This is obsessive behavior! People pay me a fortune to help them get over things like this. Not my girlfriend through, she just does it right under my nose. Here I thought you wanted a writing room. A place where you could go and be free of distractions. You lied to me, again.a That stops me. I lied to her again. Iave been doing that a lot lately. How can we plan a future, when I keep hiding things from her? I take a step back from her and lean against the wall.

aI have to finish this. I have to make him pay for what happened.a My voice betrays me. It cracks and the fear is evident. I want to make it stop, but once the flood gates open itas over. Frankie looks me over, runs her hand through her hair and wipes her face. She walks up to me, places her hands on my biceps.

aHow about we pack it away? Youave done a lot of hard work and research. We can put it in a box for a later time. If something comes up, weall have the information someone else.a aButaa I try to protest.

aNo, Jasmine, this is not healthy. I need the s.p.a.ce for Chaseas various sports endeavors and you need to let this go. Iam not saying forever. Iam saying this way of doing things is done. I can help you. Victor lives here now and then thereas Will. You do not have to fight this alone. Let us help you.a I nod simply. She kisses my forehead and leaves the room. I know sheas gone to get those plastic tubs we use to store old decorations in. My hideaway, my safe haven where I can air out my demons, itas being taken from me. My heart is racing and I really wish I could control it. This is what it feels like to rip off the Band-Aid. Maybe I am still that young girl whose mother took away her pacifier one night. I cried for hours every night until I learned to suck my thumb. Still have a scar on my thumb from that. Found solace in it until I was about ten. Mom never broke me of that addiction. Frankie is forcing me to go cold turkey.

This is going to be h.e.l.l.

Chapter Eleven.

Imagine about fifty young kids at a small park are vying for the slide. Itas chaos. Thatas what the ground floor of Bridge the Gapas building looks like. There are trucks outside with the powers that be barking orders. Will and I are up front of the main barrage of personnel. Our case, we walk in first. Normally they wouldnat let me do s.h.i.+t, but you donat mess with a Marine.

The vest is a bit tight on me, and I hate it. Will made sure it was as snug as could be. Something about protecting my body as much as possible. I get it, I do, but a girl has to breathe. Heall deny it, but since weave been working together he treats me like his baby sister. I know weare equals, that isnat it. You just try telling a Marine that youare not a family when you head into enemy territory. You wonat win that argument. Heas my partner in crime and the big brother I need. I just seriously wish he would understand a womanas right to have her b.o.o.bs only squished for a mammogram.

aOkay, the teams are sweeping floor by floor.a The captain says calmly.

aHeat signatures,a Will pipes up.

aThatas where we run into a slight issue. Heas got someone with him.a aAny idea who they are? Kiernan? Another employee?a Depending on who that is, might alter our plan of attack.

aI wish I could tell you. Whoever it is hasnat left his office. Weave got a team checking the cars in the parking garage. If we find a visitoras pa.s.s, weall run the plate. Might give us the information before you get to the top floor.a aIf someoneas in there, we need to get eyes on them.a The captain looks at me and I can see the cogs moving in his brain. I know he wants to let me do my job, but the concern for my safety is holding him back a bit. Like Iave said a million times before, weare family.

aWhat do you suggest?a aWill and I go inside. We take the elevator and go inside like weave done many times before.a aCaptain, Steele and I can relay information back to you. It might help move things along.a aFine, whatever you do, the two of you do not engage the suspect. Do you understand?a aYes sir,a Will and I both utter quickly. We know weall probably break that request, but what can you do. Life throws curve b.a.l.l.s but sometimes you have to swing.

aPay attention to the voices in your ear. You hear anything you donat like, you get the h.e.l.l out of there. Remember, you are only our eyes on the floor. We do this by the book.a The captain walks away from us. Will turns to me and starts pulling on the d.a.m.n Velcro of my vest. Nervously, I start doing the same thing to him. I donat want to explain to his wife why his vest slid and a bullet hit him. Not a conversation I want to partake in, ever.

aYou coming?a Without thinking, I start the walk to the building. My mind goes through random check lists. Leg holsters tight. My hands check the belts as I walk. Check. Guns are loaded, check. Earpiece in ear, chatter understood, check. Push all thoughts of Frankie and Chase out of your mind. Itas then that I hear them laughing together. Iave heard it so many times before, but right now that laughter makes me want to turn around and go home. I take a deep breath, push the sounds out of my head. Mind clear, check.

The elevator doors open and we both enter. Backs to the wall, facing the door. Will hits the floor number. He cracks his knuckles and then his neck. I can tell heas running through his random checklist now. Itas calming knowing Iam not alone in this.

aSteele, Everts, mic check.a The captainas voice echoes in our ears.

aEverts here.a Will states. His tone militaristic, emotionless.

aSteele here.a Iam surprised that my voice sounds the same. Although the throat mic feels funny. I know Will said it was the best for this situation, but it feels like Iam choking.

Heas rubbing off on me in a good way. The elevator doors open. Will steps out first, gun raised. I follow behind him. We quickly clear the lobby, with tactical precision. He turns to face me and motions with his eyes. Anyone else would be lost, but not me. I am in awe at how easily our friends.h.i.+p has transcended words. We understand each otheras moves.

Will and I each grab a handle on each side of the double door. I nod and we quickly slide inside them. The two of us fall to the ground and hold our hands out. We catch the doors and help them close quietly. Will waves his hands, points to the main office and holds his hand level. I nod in understanding.

Keeping as low as possible, we walk around the wall and into the main area. Just as we enter the area, shots ring out shattering the gla.s.s of Harry Brandtas office. The two of us drop down with our backs to the desks.

aWhatas going on up there?a I hear the captain asking, but it barely registers.

I look over at Will before leaning around the corner of the desk to get a better look. The long alley path between the rows allows me clear view of Brandtas office. The lawyer sits tied to a chair crying. Her distinct moans m.u.f.fled by the duct tape over her mouth. Leaning back I realize weare in trouble.

aHeas got the lawyer,a I whisper over to Will.

aCall it in,a he replies quietly.

aThis is Steele, we have a situation up here.a aGo ahead Steele.a aBrandtas lawyer is being held hostage. Full restraints. Shots were fired from his gun shattering the officeas gla.s.s walls.a aDo not engage,a the captain says calmly.

aSir, we feelaa aEverts, I sent you and Steele up there to be our eyes, nothing more.a aSir, heas acting like a rat backed into a corner. Iam concerned about the welfare of the hostage.a I say mechanically.

aWe are in position to negotiate, sir.a Will offers.

aEverts, I understand you want to help this woman, I do, but we donat know what weare facing. If what you two said is true, this guy is really good at covering his tracks. Let us clear the floors before you open your mouths. Udall out.a Will closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. This is not what the two of us signed up for. Well, it sort of is, but on paper only. You never really want to be a part of it. This is no longer a simple wait and see to us. The simple arrest isnat an option. I hit my head against the desk, causing something to fall and hit the floor. The shattering noise fills the room. I look over to Will and mouth Iam sorry. Even now I can easily make a mistake.

aWhoas out there? You the f.u.c.king cops? I wonat come easily. You want to take me in, you have to go through this b.i.t.c.h first!a I look over at Will and he knows exactly what Iam thinking. Iam rather thankful for it considering this large pile of s.h.i.+t we find ourselves knee deep in. He shakes his head at me and I turn away from him. I know what the rational side of my brain is telling me.

aCaptain, cover is compromised. We need a negotiator to call or get up here ASAP.a aNegative, we are evacuating the building. All personnel are to retreat to the lower floors.a aSir,a my voice raises slightly, awe need someone to help diffuse the situation.a aJasmine,a his voice is soft, aI need you and Everts to take the stairs and get out of the building now.a aCaptainaa aThis is not an option. This is an order.a aExplanation?a aThe building is wired. Bomb squad found no trigger box. We had images sent to Pevy and the team. Itas a secure wireless setup. They are trying to access the feed but it will take time.a aBrandt has to have the trigger.a aItas a risk weare not willing to take.a aThen whatas the play?a aNearby buildings are being evacuated. Once clear, weall call Brandt. Meanwhile, tech is trying to isolate the signal and disrupt it.a aSteele out.a aJasmine, you and Willaa I pull out my earpiece and ignore the rest. Will looks at me and does the same. I know the boss is in control and he feels the best course of action is to wait. Will and I know it isnat, because weare up here. Brandtas deranged and running off the deep end. We both understand one thing clearly, the lawyeras time is limited.

Will tilts his head and looks at me. One of us has to do this. It just depends on who stands first. Itas like a stare down at high noon, who is going to draw their pistol and fire. I take a deep breath and stand up. I look to my left and Will is standing as well. He pushes me to the ground and makes sure to stare at me for a second. Heas in the open so I have to have his back. I motion to the outside route around the desks. He nods and walks toward the office. I pray he knows what heas doing, or we both might end up on a table. Then our significant others would bring us back to life just to kill us again.

aYouare that cop whoas been up my a.s.s,a Brandt aims his gun at Will.